What kind of music do you enjoy?
I'm mostly into Bangla rock and indie music, the kind of bands that play at university concerts. I also listen to a fair bit of lo-fi and acoustic stuff when I need to concentrate. I'm not a huge fan of loud electronic music, though. It just gives me a headache.
When do you usually listen to music?
Mainly when I'm on the move. The bus ride to university can take an hour, so my earphones are basically glued in. I also play something quiet in the background while I'm studying, but only instrumental tracks, because if there are lyrics, I end up singing along instead of reading.
Have your musical tastes changed since you were a teenager?
Quite a bit, yes. At fifteen I only listened to whatever English pop songs were trending, partly because that's what everyone at school liked. These days I appreciate Bangla music much more, even the older songs my parents play, which I used to find painfully slow. I suppose I've just grown into it.
Can you play a musical instrument?
A little. I taught myself the guitar from YouTube videos a few years ago, so I can play basic chords and strum along to some popular songs. I'm nowhere near good enough to perform, but it's a nice way to unwind, and my friends always ask me to bring it along on trips.
Do you prefer listening to music alone or with friends?
Day to day, alone, because music is a fairly private thing for me and I like choosing exactly what fits my mood. But live music is a different story. Going to an open-air concert with friends, with everyone shouting the lyrics together, is one of the best feelings I know.
Is traditional music still popular where you live?
I'd say it is, though often in a new form. Folk music, especially Baul and Lalon's songs, is still performed at festivals like Pohela Boishakh. What's interesting is that younger musicians now mix these old songs with modern instruments, and those fusion versions get shared widely online, so my generation is rediscovering them.
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